The keel has been laid for the US Navy’s 11th Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport ship, the future USNS Puerto Rico (EPF 11), at Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Alabama.

The keel-laying ceremony marks the start of the vessel’s construction phase. The EPF will serve as the third US Navy ship to be named after the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Program Executive Office Ships Strategic and Theater Sealift programme manager captain Scot Searles said: “We are honoured that Justice Sotomayor is able to participate as the ship sponsor in this major production milestone.

“Our industry and navy teams are committed to delivering this highly capable platform and today’s milestone marks our progress towards delivering operational flexibilities to the navy force.”

“We are honoured that Justice Sotomayor is able to participate as the ship sponsor in this major production milestone.”

The US Navy’s EPF transport ships are non-combatant vessels designed to operate in shallow-draft ports and waterways.

The vessels offer increased operational flexibility for a wide range of operations, including manoeuvre and sustainment, relief operations in small or damaged ports, flexible logistics support and enabler for rapid transport.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Capable of interfacing with roll-on / roll-off discharge facilities, the ships can support on-loading and off-loading vehicles such as a fully combat-loaded Abrams main battle tank.

In addition, the vessels feature a flight deck that helps support day and night aircraft launch and recovery operations.

The 337ft-long EPF 11 has a displacement of 1,670t and can travel at a speed of up to 43k.

Ship manufacturer Austal recently successfully completed acceptance trials on the future USNS Burlington (EPF 10) in the Gulf of Mexico. The ship is scheduled to be delivered to the US Navy later this year.